No Amen to prayer, 21 tell ministers

A LODDON Shire councillor is among a group of 21 wanting the State Government to formally ditch the option of saying the Lord’s Prayer to open local government meetings.

Cr Wendy Murphy’s name was at the bottom of a letter sent to Premier Daniel Andrews and government ministers last week.

Cr Murphy, one of four councillors outside Melbourne and Greater Geelong listed in the letter, said she had received a phone call in mid-2021 and then an email before Christmas that year from the group Councillors for Secular meetings.

She had seconded a motion by now-Loddon Mayor Dan Straub the previous December that saw Loddon drop the opening Lord’s Prayer for an affirmation.

“The last email (from the group) asked if I wanted to be included in the letter. I didn’t respond,” she said.

When contacted, Cr Murphy said she told the group Loddon Shire had switched to the affirmation. The letter called on the Government to “issue a good practice guideline or direction or advice” on opening council meetings. At the 2021 Census, 52 per cent of Loddon residents listed having a religion.

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AFEW weeks ago we introduced you to Ollie, the parrot continuing to audition for a speaking role as a receptionist at Bridgewater Caravan Park. Today, meet Rex the kelpie who has obviously been hanging around sheep too long. Rex is the trusty four-legged assistant in the shearing shed and sheep pens for Ken Pattison out Fernihurst way. Rex has an affinity with the shearers and classers who keep him warm (sure needed a fleece or two in that cold snap last week). “He is my best mate. He listens and doesn’t answer back,” says Ken. “I can’t go anywhere without him. He is at the door when I put my boots on every day.”

KEN’S boots can be left at the door if he’s thinking about joining the new incarnation of twilight bowls happening in Bridgewater ... some are turning up barefoot and were quite possibly at risk of chilblains when things kicked off last Wednesday. And among the team rink leaders is none other the former club acting, interim pro tem chairman of selectors, The Oracle. Seems The Oracle has had a few challenges getting his team together. He has had to enlist support from Stinga, he of inconsistent with the elite Calivil pennant line-up. The Oracle has even attempted to twist the arm of OTF to make an appearance ... we might just do that!

ONE of Stinga’s near neighbours has just had a night out at a Thai restaurant ... having been craving the cuisine for so long, ordered up big from the multi-dish buffet offering. Size of order saw owner and chef suddenly standing table-side, convinced staff had bungled the order. Took a bit of convincing that the order was genuine ... and to prove it, not a morsel was left on the plate.

ACOUPLE of old farmers were overheard in a country watering hole. First farmer asked what the sign said, taped to a beer can on the shelf. Second farmer chuckled: “That’s donated by old mate, as no one would believe ‘the Mayor’ had shouted him.” Farmer two explained: “The Mayor!? He so tight he covers his cow pats in the paddock so the crows can’t steal them”. We’re told this is a true yarn from a real place in a locality well known to all.

AND finally this week, in case there are any Queenslanders reading OTF, XXXX did come in as No 4 for draught beer in 2022, behind Coopers, Victoria Bitter and James Boag. Then followed Tooheys, Carlton Draught, Great Northern Brewing and Hahn.

Bill back in studio life

BILL Offord has spent more than a decade travelling Australia and painting landscapes under the low awning of his caravan.

“Even when it’s cold and wet ... that’s terrible,” said the Englishman who has been in Australia since 1966 and has decided to stay put in Inglewood.

“It’s nice to be in a studio again. I haven’t had one since 2010 in Sydney.”

Bill has set up his temporary studio in the old Porter’s corner building with plans for a more permanent presence in an adjoining building when new owners Pauline and Gerry Wellman complete renovations.

Many of Bill’s paintings had been in storage for more than a decade and he is now putting new life into the creations while picking up brush and pallet knife working on new canvasses.

He says more abstract works start with an idea and then the painting evolves. “I want the painting to be itself.”

His landscapes start with a sketch of a local tree, capturing his love for the bushland around central Victoria with animals and scenery added in the studio.

Bill has been staying in Inglewood for three months every year and still has a bit of the travel itch. However, the opportunity to again have a studio has ensured a more permanent home.

And his smaller works on sale are raising money for the Peter MacCallum Centre, as he continues to support cancer care. His wife Jenny died in 2011 with breast cancer.